PDF compression is something that one should be concerned about. When we are looking to compress a pdf file, then what we want is we want to reduce the size of the pdf file in such a manner that its quality stays the same. Now, there are several ways in which you can do this. The most common one is to create a new pdf from the existing pdf by compressing it by means of application.
It’s very important to compress your pdf as much as you can, because a smaller file will load faster and be easier to read. In this article I want to show you some of the best tools for compressing PDF files online. These are the most efficient, user-friendly and free pdf compression tools and methods on the internet today.
Pdf compression tools are an excellent feature for any pdf user. Anyone who has ever dealt with scanned documents, graphics and other heavy files knows how important it is to compress these files in order to up-load them to the services like email or dropbox.
There are hundreds of PDF tools in the current market and all of them are specialized in their own way. Irrespective of which type of a PDF tool is out there, it is safe to say that they all aim towards one thing – that is, compressing the size of a PDF document.
Free PDF Compressor
Ashampoo® PDF Pro 2
Best for creating, editing, and converting PDFs easily.
Ashampoo® PDF Pro 2 is a PDF editor with the functionalities to create, edit, convert, and merge PDFs. It has capabilities for creating a perfectly sized document so that it will be readable on any device.
The tool makes it easier to rearrange & delete or crop & rotate the PDF pages. It will also allow you to add pages from other PDF documents. It offers the functionality of encryption to protect the documents. The documents will be protected through 128-bit AES encryption.
Features:
- Creating and editing interactive forms.
- Comparing two PDFs side-by-side.
- Snapshot function
- Auto-repair feature
Verdict: Ashampoo® PDF Pro 2 is a PDF editor with all the required functionalities for creating, editing, merging, and protecting the PDF.
Price: Ashampoo® PDF Pro 2 is available for $29.99. It is a one-time payment and can be used for 3 systems for non-commercial use. You can download a free trial. For commercial use, you will require one license per installation.
PDFelement Pro (Mac & Windows)
PDFelement Pro allows you to compress and reduce PDFs’ size with top-notch compression setting options. Plus, it comes with a variety of PDF creation tools. Try this free trial of PDF compressor today.TRY IT FREE
4 Ways to Edit and Compress PDF Files Using PDFelement Pro
- Method 1: Reduce PDF file size by removing unwanted objects like text, watermarks, images, links, and more.
- Method 2. Compress PDF by converting it to other file formats.
- Method 3. Compress PDF by clicking ‘Optimized PDF,’ and you can choose the PDF file’s different quality. Also, you can directly share the compressed PDF via mail, Messages, AirDrop, Notes, and more.
HiPDF (Online)
HiPDF is a free online PDF compressor. With this online PDF compression tool’s help, you can easily compress PDF files online to retain the original quality of the PDF but reduce the file size.
PDFelement
We start off with our best overall pick for PDF compressor software. PDFelement features a familiar ribbon-style design, making it easy and simple to use. If you have ever used Microsoft Office software, this will be a breeze for you.TRY IT FREE
The best part is that every task is just a click away. With a few clicks, you can finish any process you want, including PDF compression. There are different sections in the interface, where you can find a number of features, including view, edit, comment, convert, pages, form, protect, share, etc. For example, if you click on the Pages section, you can organize your pages. The software allows you to merge pages, split pages, delete pages, and more functions. The same intuitive design follows every other section.
And on top of that, PDFelement is affordable software. There are three pricing plans, including standard, pro, and business. Whatever you choose, the price is quite lower than Adobe Acrobat DC and similar competitive software. You get a full-featured software at a price you can afford.
FeaturesBetter reading experience with a great performance of loading, zooming, and scrolling pages. Edit and modify PDF content easily, like you are on a word processor. Collaborate with your team members and collect feedbacks quickly. Convert and create PDF files to or from other popular file formats. Sign PDF with digital signature and hand-written signature. Protect your document with open passwords and permission passwords, and redaction areas. Extract data from PDF form fields easily. Perform OCR to make a scanned PDF document editable and searchable.
ProsSimple and intuitive user interface. One-click tasks. Full-featured software. Affordable price. Regard as top-rated document management systems in TrustRadius. Member of PDF association. Capterra’s “Top 20 Most Popular for Contract Management Software”.
Adobe Acrobat DC
Adobe Acrobat DC is the latest product by Adobe, the company that invented the PDF format. Given that Adobe invented PDF, the product is the most full-featured PDF compressor you can find. But sometimes, the abundance of features can be overwhelming.
The PDF creator comes with a full range of functionalities, but that comes with a price. Adobe Acrobat is on the pricier end of the spectrum. You get professional-level tools for viewing, editing, managing, creating, and converting PDF files.
The software has an intuitive design, and some say it is easy to use. But there are two sides to the story. Many users complain about the complexity of the product. As for unique features, Adobe can help you customize your toolbars. You can dock them and set them any way you like. For example, you can hide functions you do not need, and make the product simpler. Another standout feature is the touch-enabled functionality. This allows you to get easy access to mobile platforms.
ProsGreat for completing government forms. Ability to customize toolbars. Touch-enabled functionality. Highly versatile software.
ConsSearch function can be challenging. For graphic changes, you might need to go to the original document. Can be overwhelming with features. High price tag.
EasePDF PDF Compressor
Best for online editing, splitting, conversion, and a simple batch compression of PDF files.
EasePDF has a very clear and concise interface for its truly rich functional menu and would let you know exactly how to operate quickly. All its designs are necessary and not redundant. It supports inter-conversion between PDF and multiple formats, PDF splitting, merging, and editing.
Batch compression features are also a boon for those who have to deal with a bulk of huge PDF files every day. Besides, what attracts most is that you could select the compression level which fits you most. The higher the number, the better the compression.
It’s remarkable that all your uploaded files are well protected and won’t be sent to other platforms as they have strong 256-bit SSL encryption.
Steps to reduce the size of PDFs on EasePDF:
#1) Click “Compress PDF” and add files that you want to compress. Or you can just drag and drop your files here.
#2) Once finish uploading, you can preview and check if you have put the correct files with the thumbnail. Then you can choose the compression level you prefer and start compression.
#3) When you finish compression, download and save it on the computer. If you want to adjust the compress level, just click “START OVER” and try again.
Features:
- Batch PDF compression
- Compress level adjustable
- Easy to drag and drop feature
- Inter-conversion between multiple formats.
- Security guarantee
- Supports editing, splitting, and merging PDF files.
Verdict: EasePDF is a comprehensive and powerful PDF processing tool, because almost any operation related to PDF can find a solution here. It will only pay you back more unexpected surprises. The clear and concise interface of this tool allows you to get started in a second. The batch compression feature is definitely worth a try.
Price:
- Monthly subscription: $4.95/month
- Yearly subscription: $3.33/month (Billed as one payment of $39.95/year)
- You can also experience 2 free tasks every 24 hours.
Foxit Phantom PDF
Foxit is one of the leading software providers for fast and secure PDF solutions. Phantom PDF is one of the most commonly used PDF software. There are three pricing plans, including standard, business, and education. The last one is designed for students and education professionals.
Phantom PDF greatly improves productivity at work and allows you to securely work with different documents and forms. The multi-feature PDF solution allows you to open, edit, view, create and convert PDF documents. You get all the basic features and some advanced like cloud storage and OCR.
One of the signature features is the ability to work with multiple documents. You can split them into separate tabs. You can also use the font matching feature to use the same font as the original document in your text.
ProsEasy to use and familiar interface. Ability to work with multiple files at once. Great sharing features. Supports 41 languages.
ConsInability to have different header and footer. The interface looks outdated. Some users report OCR issues. You have to download the specific OCR module.
Nitro PDF
Nitro PDF comes with high-quality features, including creating, sharing, editing, and reviewing documents. It is one of the better alternatives to Adobe Acrobat for pdf compressor software. One of the best parts about Nitro PDF is the integration with Nitro Cloud. This integration helps you bridge the gap between document creation and sharing. You can create the document, and ask to sign with a single click. It is part of the Nitro Productivity Suite, so you get the Nitro Cloud for free.
The Nitro Cloud helps you apply and request signatures, but also track document activity. This feature vastly improves workflow. Nitro PDF is a complete PDF management tool, with a high range of functionalities. Conversion tools, creation tools, and much more. You can also use the optional extension for Firefox and Internet Explorer. Just make sure to click the Configuration button in the installer.
One of the downsides of Nitro PDF is you will have to share your name and email address. You have to register and sign up for the Nitro newsletter. If you hate spam messages in your email, this might be a turn off.
ProsIntegration with Nitro Cloud. Intuitive interface. Supports a wide range of file formats.
ConsNot compatible with Mac. No mobile optimization. Doesn’t convert to Epub format.
Which factors should you consider while selecting top PDF editor software?
You should consider the following factors while selecting a PDF editor software:
- Easy to use
- Scan and OCR(Optical Character Recognition) features
- Functionalities for PDF operations like Create, Edit, Share, Print, etc.
- Collaboration for multiple users
- Security
- Mobile-friendliness
- Support and customer care service
Conclusion
As the name suggests, they are used to compress the original document in order to reduce its size. You will be able to significantly reduce the size of your original file after this process. If you want to send a lot of data, then it is recommended that you choose a tool which allows you to send compressed files. This is because they take less storage space and saves your time as well.
There is a lot of information which is the output of your hard work, but if the files are in PDF form then there can be difficulties and obstacles for you in order to access the information. The PDF files are compressed in order to save space and data as these files can take up more space.